Kevin Hunter, the ex-husband of talk show host Wendy Williams, is pushing back against an attempt by the producers of 'The Wendy Williams Show' to pause his $10 million wrongful termination lawsuit. Hunter, a former executive producer on the show, has accused Debmar-Mercury and its producers, Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus, of wrongful termination following his divorce from Williams in 2019.
In a lawsuit filed in the New York Supreme Court under the Adult Survivors Act, Hunter claims his firing was due to marital status discrimination, as he was let go after allegations of cheating led to his divorce from Wendy Williams. According to Hunter, his contributions were pivotal to the show's success, including behind-the-scenes work and the development of popular segments like Hot Topics and Shoe Cam. He asserts that the producers' decision to terminate him was without legal basis and violated New York law.
On the other side, the producers have denied any wrongdoing, arguing that marital status, particularly being married to Williams, is not a protected characteristic under the law. They have sought to dismiss Hunter's claim, stating that he misinterprets the law which prohibits discrimination based on marital status.
In September, a judge ruled that Hunter's lawsuit could move forward, finding that he had stated a claim for marital status discrimination. Despite this, the producers are still disputing the court's finding and have requested to take the matter to a higher court.
In their response, the producers claim that allowing their appeal would not harm Hunter, as he is no longer employed by them and 'The Wendy Williams Show' is no longer airing. Hunter, however, insists that the appeal should not proceed, arguing that it is a rare exception to the final judgment rule and would unjustly prioritize their case over others waiting their turn in the legal system.
Beyond the lawsuit, Hunter has also expressed disappointment with how 'The Wendy Williams Show' concluded its run. He criticized the production company for not involving Williams in the show's final episode, calling it an unceremonious departure and a travesty, especially given the show's decade-long success.
Wendy Williams, who has been absent from the set due to health issues, hasn't commented on the lawsuit or the final episode of her show. Earlier this year, she expressed optimism about returning to her work, citing ongoing private matters that she needed to address first.
This lawsuit and the controversy surrounding the end of 'The Wendy Williams Show' highlight the complex intersections of personal and professional relationships in the entertainment industry, as well as the legal intricacies of employment and marital status discrimination.
